Adrian's July 2 Dawg Days of Summer honors veterans

Adrian will host an event July 2 that highlights people and resources that support veterans.

The event, called the Dawg Days of Summer, features a mobile unit that memorializes military working dogs and their handlers who have been killed in the War on Terror.

Activities will be from 1 to 4 p.m. on 1st Street in Adrian, north of the Adrian American Legion and also inside the post home.

According to Adrian Veteran Curtis Hendel, having the mobile memorial in Adrian provided an opportunity to also invite organizations and individuals who work for veterans and active duty personnel.

“This day is not only for veterans,” Hendel said, calling it a Veterans’ Summit.

“For those with veterans or loved ones currently serving their country, the information that will be available on that day will be priceless.”

The list of participants includes local veterans service officers, St. Paul Veterans Center, a Sioux Falls suicide prevention coordinator from the South Dakota VA Hospital and a number of volunteers and volunteer organizations.

The list includes Operation 23 to Zero, which helps veterans in crisis and those working to adapt back to civilian life, Faribault Minnesota Legion Post 43, which is working to prevent suicide among veterans, and the Legion Riders, a motorcycle club within the American Legion.

“Even if you have no connection to the military, this will be a great opportunity to honor some of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy our freedoms here at home.”

He added that photographer Mike MacDonald will send several images that depict the struggles that military veterans have to deal with when reintegrating into society.

“His work is extremely powerful, and could be disturbing to some, but tells the absolute truth about the struggles of the veteran community,” Hendel said.